St. John's Northwestern has been shaping the minds and developing the character of students since 1884.
Academy alumni have attended notable colleges and universities. As a college preparatory and leader development, boarding and day school for young men and women in grades 6 through 12, St. John's Northwestern Academies is a safe, structured environment that provides each student a foundation for life with specialized programs that are built with future aspirations in mind.
Surrounded by English gothic-style architecture, broad lawns, and towering trees, students living within the historic campus are immersed in a safe and secure environment in which they build self-esteem, self-discipline, academic focus and intellectual curiosity that allows them to "work hard, play hard, pray hard."
Quick Facts (2026)
- Grades: 6-12, PG
- Enrollment: 201 students
- Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $49,100
- Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $22,500
- Acceptance rate: 84%
- Average class size: 10 students
- Application Deadline: None / Rolling
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
St. John's Northwestern Academies ranks among the top 5 military schools (out of 17 military schools) for:
Category
Attribute
Student Attention
Offering Breadth
Student Test Scores
Student Test Scores
School History
School Overview
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
Year Founded
1884
1909
Campus Size
80 acres
125 acres
Colors
White, Black, Red, Purple, Red/Black/White
School Calendar
Student Body
Enrollment
201 students
300 students
% Students of Color
24%
25%
% International Students
37%
20%
% Students Boarding
86%
70%
Offers Post-Grad Year
Yes
No
Academics and Faculty
Saturday Classes
No
No
Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
7:1
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
5
17
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
50%
70%
Summer Program Details
Tuition Cost
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
(Boarding Students)
$49,100
$59,900
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
(Day Students)
$22,500
$33,500
Tuition international students
$56,300
$53,975
Yearly Tuition
(5 Day Boarding)
(5 Day Boarding)
$39,900
$44,000
Summer Program Cost
$5,900
(sjnacademies.org)
(sjnacademies.org)
Admissions
Acceptance Rate
84%
58%
Director of Admissions
Juan Garcia
Application URL
AP / Advanced Courses
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
5
17
Courses
Calculus Chemistry
Literature and Composition Physics
Statistics U.S. History
Biology
Sports
# Interscholastic Sports Offered
16
16
School Notes
- As a college preparatory and leader development, boarding and day school for young men and women in grades 6 through 12, St. John's Northwestern Academies educates and develops young men and women to be responsible citizens, as well as moral and ethical leaders who are inspired to take advantage of today and tomorrow's opportunities. They achieve this through their foundational pillars of academic excellence, enriching spiritual and character development, outstanding athletic programs, and premier leader development training in a secure, nurturing and inclusive environment.
- St. John's Northwestern Academies accreditations: ISACS
- Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Daniel Gerber 1916 - Founder and president of Gerber Baby Foods
- Howard Woodin 1918 - Member of Marquette University Hall of Fame and Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame for football
- Spencer Tracy 1919 - Distinguished actor; Academy Award winner; appeared in over 70 films
- Arthur Wermuth 1932 - Major, U.S. Army; World War II hero
- Edward Noble 1946 - Entrepreneur; developer; and manufacturer; served as a member of President Ronald Regan's staff
- C. Roosevelt Boettiger 1948 - Grandson of President Franklin D. Roosevelt; U.S. delegate to the United Nations
- William J. Janklow 1954 - Governor of South Dakota for four terms, longer than anyone in state history
- Ty Warner 1962 - Founder and C.E.O. of Beanie Babies, Inc., a leader in the toy industry
- Jay Graf 1966 - Founder and C.E.O. of Guidant Corp., a leader in the heart monitoring field
- Martin Torrijos Espino 1981 - Former President of Panama from 2004 to 2009
- School Motto: Not specified
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does St. John's Northwestern Academies cost?
St. John's Northwestern Academies's tuition is approximately $49,100 for boarding students and $22,500 for day students.
What is the acceptance rate of St. John's Northwestern Academies?
The acceptance rate of St. John's Northwestern Academies is 84%, which is higher than the boarding school average of 58%.
Who are famous alumni from St. John's Northwestern Academies?
St. John's Northwestern Academies famous alumni include: Daniel Gerber 1916, Howard Woodin 1918, Spencer Tracy 1919, Arthur Wermuth 1932, Edward Noble 1946, C. Roosevelt Boettiger 1948, William J. Janklow 1954, Ty Warner 1962, Jay Graf 1966 and Martin Torrijos Espino 1981.
What sports does St. John's Northwestern Academies offer?
St. John's Northwestern Academies offers 16 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Drill Team, Football, Golf, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Orienteering, Riflery, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field and Wrestling. St. John's Northwestern Academies is ranked as one of the top boarding schools for most sports offered.
Does St. John's Northwestern Academies offer a summer program?
Yes, St. John's Northwestern Academies offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.
What is St. John's Northwestern Academies's ranking?
St. John's Northwestern Academies ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for Small average class sizes, Most sports offered, High average SAT scores, High ACT scores and Oldest founding date.
When is the application deadline for St. John's Northwestern Academies?
The application deadline for St. John's Northwestern Academies is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).
Alumni Reviews Review School
Review
Description
SJNMA offers a unique and safe environment. The faculty care about the cadets more than anything else. It's safe location physically located in the suburbs along with on campus security provide a great place. . .
I liked that we had structure. It taught me how to be on time and responsible. I also really liked that it was all guys. It made it easier to learn. Our teachers bent over. . .
The military traditions sets the school apart from other more traditional boarding school experiences. Very structured but always surrounded by other cadets in your company that doesn't make it feel like "all work and no. . .
Show more reviews (1 review)
Related Schools
Show me:
People that viewed St. John's Northwestern Academies also viewed these schools: Missouri Military Academy, Camden Military Academy, Hargrave Military Academy, Fork Union Military Academy and Army and Navy Academy.
The nearest boarding school to St. John's Northwestern Academies is Wisconsin Lutheran High School (19.8 miles away)
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
204 Grand Street
Mexico, MO 65265
(573) 581-1776
Mexico, MO 65265
(573) 581-1776
323.6 miles
Gr: 7-12, PG | 220 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Avg. class size: 14 students Acceptance rate: 65% Tuition listed
520 Hwy. 1 North
Camden, SC 29020
(803) 432-6001
Camden, SC 29020
(803) 432-6001
738.2 miles
Gr: 7-12, PG | 300 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Avg. class size: 12 students Acceptance rate: 80% Tuition listed
200 Military Drive
Chatham, VA 24531
(800) 432-2480
Chatham, VA 24531
(800) 432-2480
641.9 miles
Gr: 7-12, PG | 195 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Avg. class size: 12 students Acceptance rate: 70% Tuition listed
PO Box 278, 4744 James Madison Hwy
Fork Union, VA 23055
(434) 842-4205
Fork Union, VA 23055
(434) 842-4205
646.5 miles
Gr: 7-12, PG | 300 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Avg. class size: 12 students Acceptance rate: 55% Tuition listed
2605 Carlsbad Blvd.
Carlsbad, CA 92008
(888) 762-2338
Carlsbad, CA 92008
(888) 762-2338
1704.8 miles
Gr: 7-12 | 320 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Avg. class size: 15 students Acceptance rate: 73% Tuition listed
Recent Articles
Famous Boarding School Alumni & Parent Lessons
Discover what famous boarding school alumni teach parents about leadership, resilience, and opportunity in 2026.
Boarding Life for Student Athletes in 2026
Explore how boarding schools help student athletes balance academics and competitive sports in 2026 with structure, support, and recruiting guidance.
Supporting First-Generation Students in Boarding Schools
A 2026 guide to supporting first-generation students in boarding schools, with strategies for access, retention, and family engagement.
